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Course Name: BEAST - Basic Engine and Suppression Tactics

Course Description: This course will introduce students to basic wildland engine suppression tactics in both the rural and wldland urban interface settings. Students will also be introduced to basic engine terminology, structure triage, hose operations, and foam and water use practices to optimize the water available. The course consists of 8 hours of classroom studies and 8 hours of field work. *Not an NWCG course

WHAT: Basic Engine and Suppression Tactics (BEAST)

DATE: Session 1: March 5-6, 2016 – Session 2: April 30 - May 1, 2016

TIME: 08:00 – 17:00

WHERE: Meridian Civic Center (308 W. River St)

TRAINING HOURS: 16.00

CERTIFICATE: Texas Forest Service

COST: FREE

Course Registration Form

Fill out the form below to Register members of your department for this course.

***If you are going to have members for each offering you will need to fill out the form twice, one for each session.***

The complete course is being taught at each session, there is no need to attend both.

You will register for the total number of participants from your department for each session.

Please email Tim Jeske if your initial number changes. This course is limited to 25 students per session.

Your Name (required)

Your E-Mail

Your Department (required)

Training

Date (required)

Number Attending

Join CoCoRaHS Today!

CoCoRaHS is a practical, enjoyable and useful activity. If you have an interest in weather and would like to help your local community, as well as scientists and others interested in precipitation, then CoCoRaHS is for you. It only takes a few minutes a day and gives you the chance to participate in real hands-on science. You’ll be amazed at what you learn as you become more aware of the variable weather that impacts you, your neighbors, your state and our entire country.

A brief History

CoCoRaHS came about as a result of a devastating flash flood that hit Fort Collins, Colorado in July 1997. A very localized storm dumped over a foot of rain in several hours while other portions of the city had only modest rainfall. The ensuing flood caught many by surprise and caused $200 million in damages. CoCoRaHS was born in 1998 with the intent of doing a better job of mapping and reporting intense storms. As more volunteers participated, rain, hail, and snow maps were produced for every storm showing fascinating local patterns that were of great interest to scientists and the public. By 2010 CoCoRaHS became a nationwide volunteer network.

Data on the web

Volunteers post their daily observations on the CoCoRaHS Web site. Observations are immediately available on maps and reports for the public to view. By providing high quality, accurate measurements, the observers are able to supplement existing networks and provide useful results to scientists, resource managers, decision makers and other users.

CoCoRaHS is Educational

CoCoRaHS offers a variety of learning opportunities. In addition to training, periodic email and newsletters inform participants about how CoCoRaHS data are used in meteorology,hydrology and other fields. CoCoRaHS is also developing classroom resources for teachers. By participating in a science project with a ‘local feel’,citizens develop a sense of community with fellow observers and raise awareness about their surrounding environment.

Why is there so much interest in rain, hail and snow?

Precipitation is essential for life. It varies greatly with topography, storm type and season. It reallyis true that it may pour on one side of the street and be dry on the other. A portion of a field maybe pounded by hail while others nearby receive no damage. Snowfall may pile up in one neighborhood and only dust another. Rain, hail and snow are fairly easy to measure, and the data collected are very important. Meteorologists,hydrologists, engineers, builders . . . you name it, everyone seems to care about rain, hail and snow. And for some, like farmers, it is their very livelihood.

Volunteers of all ages welcome!

The foundation of the CoCoRaHS network are individuals and family volunteers of all ages, from all walks of life, willing to spend a few minutes each day measuring and reporting precipitation. This is a project we can all help with.

Training: “the Key to our success”

It is important that all CoCoRaHS precipitation reports be as accurate and consistent as possible. Training is provided to teach new observers how to install their instruments, properly measure precipitation and send in reports.

Joining our grassroots volunteer network of backyard weather observers of all ages and backgrounds is easy! We are working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow) in our local communities. By using low-cost measurement tools, stressing training and education, and utilizing an interactive Web-site, our aim is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education and research applications. The only requirements to join are an enthusiasm for watching and reporting weather conditions and a desire to learn more about how weather can affect and impact our lives.

The basic program requirements are listed below.

Buy the official CoCoRhAS rain gauge. This heavy duty gauge has been scientifically proven to be accurate within 1/100th of an inch to what is reported at airport observation stations. You can find one online for about $35 plus shipping.

Take a simple online training course on reading the rain gauge and making reports to the National Weather Service. The is critical so the data submitted is accurate each day.

Submit your rain totals each day at 0700 or so to CoCoRhAS using their website or iPhone/Android applications.

If you would like to sign-up as a volunteer observer or would like more information please CLICK HERE

If you have questions or desire more information contact Chris Anderson at 254-435-2807.

Home Fires

Each year more than 2,500 people die and 12,600 are injured in home fires in the United States. But unlike other disasters, home fires can be prevented! It's important to know this: Fire is fast! There is no time to gather anything or make a phone call. In just two minutes, a fire could kill you. In five minutes, a house could be swallowed in flames.

Fire is hot! Heat and smoke could be even more dangerous than the flames. Breathing in really hot air could burn your lungs, and fire produces poisonous gases that can make you sleepy and unable to escape. Fire is dark! It can be hard to find your way out of your house in a fire. Fire is deadly! Fire uses up oxygen you need to breathe and produces smoke and poisonous gases that kill.

Smoke Detectors

Smoke alarms save lives. If there is a fire in your home, smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to give you time to get out. Having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half. Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

Smoke Detector Tips:

Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.

It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds they all sound.

Install smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement.

Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.

There are two kinds of alarms. Ionization smoke alarms are quicker to warn about flaming fires. Photoelectric alarms are quicker to warn about smoldering fires. It is best to use of both types of alarms in the home.

A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.

RESPOND DURING

During a home fire, remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL 9-1-1 or your local emergency phone number.

If closed doors or handles are warm, use your second way out. Never open doors that are warm to the touch.

Crawl low under smoke.

Go to your outside meeting place and then call for help.

If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with doors closed. Place a wet towel under the door and call the fire department or 9-1-1. Open a window and wave a brightly colored cloth or flashlight to signal for help.

RECOVER AFTER

Picking up the pieces and getting ready to rebuild.

Have injuries treated by a medical professional. Wash small wounds with soap and water. To help prevent infection of small wounds, use bandages and replace them if they become soiled, damaged or waterlogged.

Remain calm. Pace yourself. You may find yourself in the position of taking charge of other people. Listen carefully to what people are telling you, and deal patiently with urgent situations first.

Check with the fire department to make sure your residence is safe to enter.

Free Smoke Detectors from the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign

Bosque County Emergency Management along with local Volunteer Fire Departments have partnered with the American Red Cross to participate in the Home Fire Preparedness campaign. This national initiative aims to reduce deaths and injuries caused by home fires by 25% nationwide in five years. As a part of this partnership, residents of Bosque County are eligible to have free smoke detectors installed in their homes. would like a free smoke detector you can submit the request below and you will be contacted by someone to schedule an installation within 4 weeks.

This program is 100% free to participate in and not participating may cost you or someone you love their life. Please take advantage of this opportunity today.

Fill out the easy and confidential form below to be contact about getting free smoke detectors for your home.

Bosque County Hazard Mitigation Action Plan

In 2011, Bosque County OEM received a Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant to complete the five year required update of the existing regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The current update involves 7 jurisdictions. A draft copy of the 2015 Hazard Mitigation Action Plan has been submitted to FEMA for review.

The Bosque County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) would like to invite the public to review and provide comment on the draft Bosque County Hazard Mitigation Action Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to qualify for federal mitigation grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). A copy of the draft Plan is available to review on the County’s website, which may be found at www.bosquecounty.us In addition, a hardcopy of the draft Plan may be found at the County Judge’s office located in the county courthouse at 110 S. Main St, Meridian, Texas. Comments regarding the Plan may be submitted to eoc@bosquecounty.us using the form provided at the website or in person at the County Judge’s office. The Plan will be made available for public review and comment until August 21st, 2015.

The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires that a community have an approved hazard mitigation plan in order to qualify for federal funding from the following grant programs. Some of the grant programs available include: • Pre-Disaster Mitigation Competitive (PDM-C) • Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) • Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)

A hazard mitigation plan assesses the community’s risks and vulnerabilities to natural hazard events such as flooding, hurricanes, winter storms, and earthquakes. Each jurisdiction uses statewide data and information obtained directly from the community to make this assessment.

The plan includes a set of goals related to the overall goal of hazard mitigation planning, an assessment of existing mitigation measures, and a set of new mitigation measures that will serve to advance the plan goals. The plan update will also look at implementation progress that has been made on mitigation measures from the previous plan.

Public participation is very important to the hazard mitigation planning process. Bosque County has developed a Public Comment Form to allow the public to provide input and comments to the hazards in their communities. The draft version of the plan is posted above for review and comment. Download and print the Public Comment Form below and return the form to 110 S. Main St, Meridian Texas 76665

Address: 611 F. St.

Meridian, TX 76665

Contact: (254) 435-2807

Mission of the Information Technology Department:

The Mission of the Bosque County IT Department is to provide a professional quality Help Desk service to Bosque County employees. We want you to feel in control of your job when having to work daily with today's sophisticated technologies. It is our goal to guide the county into new and innovative technologies as its business becomes more and more dependent on them.

Tom Lovelady, 911 Addressing Coordinator

Bosque County 911 Addressing Coordinator

P O Box 647

500 Hwy. 174

Meridian, TX 76665 254-435-6234

Duties and Responsibilities of the 911 Addressing Coordinator

The county Addressing Coordinator's duties include assigning all new addresses within the county jurisdiction (city addresses are assigned by the cities), GIS point-gathering, maintain database and mapping activities. Making county road signs as requested by the County Commissioners. Work with other county agencies to resolve address related problems within the county. Act as a single point of contact with Heart of Texas Council of Government (HOTCOG) on all 911 Addressing related questions.

All Alone by the Telephone

It's a one person office so if I am out on a job, please leave a message. Don't forget your name and phone number. When I return, I will get back to you.

Need a Address?

It's not a hard process, so relax. First get together all the information you have about your property, location, neighbors addresses relative to your gate location. Be ready to describe your gate or gate location so I can find it. The second time gets more complicated changing things than getting it right the first time. Now call me and lets talk about your needs. After I am satisfied that I can find the location I will go out there and record the GPS data an determine the number for you. When I get back to the office I will call you with your new address. See that is easy.

Why do I need a 911 Address?

Now this does get complicated. Why go through all this mess to get an address when I can just pick out a number between my neighbors and go from there. That's easy and no trouble.Okay, let's think about this. You are on a ladder in your home and fall off. You are hurt and call for help. If we have assigned your 911 address the exact location is recorded in the 911 office and they can direct help to you directly. If the information is not there help must drive down the road looking at mailboxes or gate signs to find you. I think our way is best and if you are hurting I am sure you would agree. Our way is easy and it doesn't cost you anything but a little time. I am not doing anything, so why not call me. I'd like to talk to you anyway.

Juvenile Probation Office

500 SH 174

Meridian, Texas 76665

254-435-2392

Bosque County provides the information contained in this web site as a public service. While every effort is made to ensure that information provided is correct, and especially where legal reliance on information is required, the official records of Bosque County should be consulted. Bosque County is not responsible for the content of, nor endorses any site which has a link from BosqueCounty.us.